Kerr County teams have located most of the 160 people previously unaccounted for in the wake of the July 4th Texas flooding, with just three still missing. Nearly 100 people who had still been listed as missing after deadly flash flooding swept across central Texas on July 4 have been found safe, with only three individuals still missing, Kerr County officials said Saturday.
The updated missing list comes as the search entered its third week, marking a sharp decline from the more than 160 people initially unaccounted for in Kerr County alone. This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time, said Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville in a statement shared on social media.
As of Sunday, the death toll in Kerr County stood at 107, including 70 adults and 37 children. The disaster has also triggered broader concerns and discussions, especially with the recent developments surrounding the incident at Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls, which suffered at least 27 fatalities in the flood.
NOEM, the U.S. Senator, has commented on the criticism directed at the federal response to the Texas flooding, stating that such criticism is ‘all politics’ and a ‘disservice to our country.’ This statement adds to the ongoing debates about the effectiveness of federal disaster relief efforts and the responsibility of local and state governments in managing such crises.
Across Texas, at least 135 people were killed when the gushing waters of the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet, washing away homes and vehicles. The fast-rising waters tore through the Hill Country, where vacation cabins and youth camps line the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County. Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls, lost at least 27 campers and counselors in the flood, raising new questions about whether the camp director had received or acted on flood warning alerts.
Recovery efforts continue, with over 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel, alongside thousands of volunteers from across the country, combing the area on foot from the river’s headwaters to Canyon Lake. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. expressed solidarity with the families still awaiting news, stating that the community will continue to support them as efforts persist.
Kerr County, located about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio, has been at the epicenter of the search and recovery operations. The Associated Press contributed to this report, providing further details on the ongoing efforts and the broader implications of this disaster.